Self-Help Manual: Pro Se Litigation Guidelines

These guidelines are designed to help pro se litigants (persons who represent themselves in lawsuits)
become familiar with the rules and procedures which must be followed in the United States District Court for
the Western District of New York. Lawsuits in federal court go through a number of steps from the time they are filed until they are ultimately resolved by a judge, a jury or through settlement. These guidelines
summarize the procedures concerning where and how to file the necessary legal papers, the exchange of
information between opposing parties, trial preparation, and certain other legal procedures which you and your opponent may need to use before your case is finally resolved.